Building strong families
Families First celebrates 10 years and 750 families served
By KATHY GRAY
of The Dalles Chronicle
At 20 months, Alison’s vocabulary is exploding and she peppers her conversations with “Thank you” and other words, while 5-month-old Madelynn is fascinated with the camera.
Both have just arisen from their afternoon nap.
The two girls are speeding right along in their development, Julie Ryan tells their mom, Katie Adkison.
Julie works as a home visitor with Families First, a program that’s primary job is to provide welcome baby visits to first-time parents.
Families First, which services Wasco and Sherman counties from its office in The Dalles, is celebrating this week as it marks its 10th anniversary.
The goals of Families First are centered around helping families become stronger.
While all new families face challenges, the Adkisons have experienced bigger trials than most.
Katie’s first child, James, suffered from a rare hereditary disease, Menkes Disease, from which he died almost two years ago at 19 months.
“Talk about learning patience,” says Julie. “She and Kindall [Katie’s husband] also learned a special compassion for children.”
Before James was affected, Katie hadn’t heard of Menkes Disease, but she has since learned she had a brother and uncle who both died from the disease, which only affects males.
“Katie was fortunate to be able to have the two girls since James,” says Julie, who, as a result of the special circumstances, has extended visits to the family through Adkison’s second and third child.
Julie provides lots of information. “We use the most modern and researched curriculum, as far as what’s appropriate in child development,” she says.
She has helped Katie resolve Allie’s biting phase, among other changes over time, and praises Katie’s efforts with the two girls. On this visit, they troubleshoot how to teach Allie not to throw toys on the floor.
“They’re really supportive for moms — and dads,” Katie notes. “It’s good to be told what we’re doing right, along with what we can do better.”
On her visit Thursday, Julie brings along a few cans of Play-Doh and a variety of molds and tools. Allie learns to roll balls and how to cut the soft clay.
Allie is ahead of the norms in her vocabulary. She’s already saying, “I want that for Christmas.”
Julie gives Katie full credit for Allie’s verbal development as Katie has talked to Allie continually throughout her life.
However, the familiar holiday words — “I want that...” — are a sure gift from the 4-year-old boy for whom Katie provides child care.
“She learns from other children, too,” Julie says.
Families First is a program of Healthy Start of Oregon.
“It’s designed to reduce stress,” says Heidi Crane, who supervises home visitors for the program, “and help them be the best parents they can be.”
The philosophy of Families First is to provide parents with the tools they need to succeed including a network of support, ways to reduce stress and plenty of encouragement and information.
“It’s a very relational program,” Crane says.
Over its 10-year lifespan, Families First has provided 750 welcome baby visits in response to first births. Its program is free, voluntary and confidential.
While parents see the individual benefits Families First can provide, the program also has an important social outcome, Crane noted.
“Those involved in the Healthy Start weekly visits are 99 percent child abuse- and neglect-free.”
The Next Door administers the Families First program, and oversees its state grant, as well as ongoing grants from supporters such as the Mid-Columbia Health Foundation.
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